But would they?
Hushed were all for a moment more, and then the leaping light shot up under the lee of the cruiser, the men aboard cheered wildly, while those in the boat were drawn on board by ready and willing hands.
The next instant the lifeboat was hung to its davits and firmly lashed, while from it was taken a limp form and carried below to the care of the ship’s surgeon.
The storm was upon them now, and the men sprang to their stations, yet loud and ringing were the cheers in honor of the gallant rescuers, for the lifeboat had picked up those for whom they had risked their lives.
“Mr. Merrill, the captain wishes to see you aft, sir.”
It was an hour after the breaking of the storm, and the good ship was driving along before the gale, and directly on her course.
Stars were seen now in the black cloud-rifts, and all knew that the hardest work was over.
Mark Merrill had not gone below to change his clothes.
“What’s the use in this sea?” he had said, and he reported at his station.
Now he was sent for to come aft, and he promptly reported, saluting, though capless.